Obituary for Robert Michael Klupa
Robert Michael Klupa, 49, of Essex, VT, took his last lap on March 6, 2023, surrounded by family and friends at home.
Mike was born on October 8, 1973, to Robert A. Klupa and Anne (Betsy) Morris Klupa. He grew up in Chicopee, MA, with an amazing set of lifelong friends. You knew a story was going to be a good one when he started with, “One time in Chicopee…” A member of Tau Beta Pi, he graduated Summa Cum Laude from Western New England College with a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering.
After raising all the hell there was to raise in MA, Mike moved to VT in 2000 and started his career at IBM. An avid mountain biker, skier, race car driver, and tinkerer, he’d found his home.
Some of Mike’s recreational achievements include rafting the entire Grand Canyon, hiking the Long Trail, biking a self-supported tour to all the breweries in VT, finishing the Stowe Derby with the top 20th fastest time, winning a mountain bike standing out in -15 degree temps shirtless at Jay Peak, running the Burlington Marathon with Skip after agreeing to do it by cheering beers at Nectar’s 5 months earlier, telemark skiing the crap out of countless mountains, and finishing the VT 50 Mountain Bike race numerous times. Mike competed in numerous car races, including Figure 8s at Riverside Speedway, a 6th place Thunder Road Enduro finish, winning Rookie of the NER SCCA Autocross Drive. He was a proud two-time cake eating champion.
He met his wife, Emily Garland Klupa, thanks to his dog, Arlo. They married in 2012 and lived a life full of love, pets, and fun. From all-inclusive beach vacations, to music festivals and concerts, to taking trips to eat sandwiches they saw on TV, it was never boring.
The world was a better place with Mike and his genuine kindness, non-stop help and handiness, and infectious smile. Everyone he met will carry a piece of his spirit, whether they like it or not. He always said there was nothing he wanted to do that he didn’t get to do.
Mike leaves behind his wife Emily and their pets Mozart, Lola, and Dr. Phil of Essex, VT; his mother Betsy Klupa of Chicopee, MA; father Bob Klupa and his wife Mary Hafey of Springfield, MA; brother, sister-in-law, and nieces Patrick, Tara, Bridget, and Molly Klupa of Mendon, MA; sister and sister-in-law Mary Klupa and Monica Goulet of Enfield, CT; sister Kathleen Rosemary Klupa of Essex Jct, VT; and a loving extended family and family-in-law. He also leaves a million wonderful friends he considered family, including Skip Morando of Underhill, VT, and Ben Dragon of Belchertown, MA.
Special thank you to UVM Home Health and Hospice, particularly Sandra Harms; and to The Wednesday Afternoon Club, and to Team Klupa Dupa.
Per Mike’s wishes, there will be no calling hours or services. A Celebration of Life will take place at a later date. Donations in his honor can be made to Green Mountain Pug Rescue, Vermont Adaptive Ski & Sports, or your local bar.
Mike was born on October 8, 1973, to Robert A. Klupa and Anne (Betsy) Morris Klupa. He grew up in Chicopee, MA, with an amazing set of lifelong friends. You knew a story was going to be a good one when he started with, “One time in Chicopee…” A member of Tau Beta Pi, he graduated Summa Cum Laude from Western New England College with a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering.
After raising all the hell there was to raise in MA, Mike moved to VT in 2000 and started his career at IBM. An avid mountain biker, skier, race car driver, and tinkerer, he’d found his home.
Some of Mike’s recreational achievements include rafting the entire Grand Canyon, hiking the Long Trail, biking a self-supported tour to all the breweries in VT, finishing the Stowe Derby with the top 20th fastest time, winning a mountain bike standing out in -15 degree temps shirtless at Jay Peak, running the Burlington Marathon with Skip after agreeing to do it by cheering beers at Nectar’s 5 months earlier, telemark skiing the crap out of countless mountains, and finishing the VT 50 Mountain Bike race numerous times. Mike competed in numerous car races, including Figure 8s at Riverside Speedway, a 6th place Thunder Road Enduro finish, winning Rookie of the NER SCCA Autocross Drive. He was a proud two-time cake eating champion.
He met his wife, Emily Garland Klupa, thanks to his dog, Arlo. They married in 2012 and lived a life full of love, pets, and fun. From all-inclusive beach vacations, to music festivals and concerts, to taking trips to eat sandwiches they saw on TV, it was never boring.
The world was a better place with Mike and his genuine kindness, non-stop help and handiness, and infectious smile. Everyone he met will carry a piece of his spirit, whether they like it or not. He always said there was nothing he wanted to do that he didn’t get to do.
Mike leaves behind his wife Emily and their pets Mozart, Lola, and Dr. Phil of Essex, VT; his mother Betsy Klupa of Chicopee, MA; father Bob Klupa and his wife Mary Hafey of Springfield, MA; brother, sister-in-law, and nieces Patrick, Tara, Bridget, and Molly Klupa of Mendon, MA; sister and sister-in-law Mary Klupa and Monica Goulet of Enfield, CT; sister Kathleen Rosemary Klupa of Essex Jct, VT; and a loving extended family and family-in-law. He also leaves a million wonderful friends he considered family, including Skip Morando of Underhill, VT, and Ben Dragon of Belchertown, MA.
Special thank you to UVM Home Health and Hospice, particularly Sandra Harms; and to The Wednesday Afternoon Club, and to Team Klupa Dupa.
Per Mike’s wishes, there will be no calling hours or services. A Celebration of Life will take place at a later date. Donations in his honor can be made to Green Mountain Pug Rescue, Vermont Adaptive Ski & Sports, or your local bar.